Newsletter of the Georgia Mountaineers Chapter of FMCA August 16 -- 20, 2017 Riverbend Campground Hiawassee, Georgia Hosts: Alexanders and Zaics Riverbend Campground is located just south of Hiawassee, a little off of GA-75. Many of its campsites back up to the shaded banks of the peaceful Hiawassee River with its beautiful clear water, small rippling rapids, and rocky bottom. This year we stayed in the newly developed part of the campground which is real nice. this is great place to have a rally, or just to go camping. As for campgrounds and RV parks, Members Camping: Ken & Margie Alexander, Ted & Martha Barrett, Raymond & Donna Birt, Dorris & Ethel Carpenter, Don & Peggy Crump, Ed & Patricia Durrence, Paul & Madonna Holko, Virginia Jackson, Bill & Jo Anne Lyles, Wayne & Anne Mickey, Roy & Kathy Perry, Jack White, Liz Yarborough, and Greg & Rose Zaic. Visitors Camping: First time visitors were Tony & Linda Miles from Douglasville, Joe & Joy Maltese from LaGrange, Steve & Joy Ridenour from Canton, and John & Linda Pfister from Blairsville. Hopefully, they will come and camp with us again in the future and join our Chapter. Monday: Those arriving on Monday were the Barretts, Carpenters, and Durrences. When they arrived, Virginia was already there as she had attended a rally with her Rambler group 1
the week before. This is the second or third rally this year in which the two chapters had back to back rallies in the same location, which made is easy for Virginia to attend both. The Ridenours were also setup in their campsite, but were out visiting someone and not in the campground until around Wednesday. The Carpenters and Durrences lunched at the Bear Meadow Grill & Restaurant and rode up to Bell Mountain. They said the view was beautiful and highly recommended it to everyone. For the evening meal, the seven of us gathered at Georgia Mountain Restaurant where some ordered from the menu and others selected the buffet. It was a lively conversation and we took our time to visit as we ate. Tuesday: Today s arrivals were the Alexanders, Holkos, Jack White, and the Zaics. Also arriving were our visitors Joe & Joy Maltese and Tony & Linda Miles. For the evening meal we gathered at Big Al s Pizza, where one can order from the menu or partake of the buffet. Many ordered from the menu since tomorrow evening we would be feasting on pizza at the Meet and Greet. Those ordering from the menu were very pleased with their selections. Plus, the pizzas on the buffet were very, very good. Without the arrival of Don Crump and the firewood, there was no campfire that evening. Wednesday: Today, the official beginning of the rally, saw the arrival of Raymond & Donna Birt, Don & Peggy Crump, Bill & Jo Anne Lyles, Wayne & Anne Mickey, Roy & Kathy Perry, and Liz Yarbrough. Visitors arriving today were John & Linda Pfister and Steve & Joy Ridenour. Our unofficial craft leader, Donna, came prepared with gloves, pompoms, sparkles, glue guns, etc. to create this cute dusting glove project. Donna graciously hosted a few of the ladies each day in her motorhome until everyone had the opportunity for the fun and laughter of making the gloves. For lunch today the Barretts and Virginia Jackson met with former members Chuck & Allene Conner at the Anejo Grill in Hayesville. It was great to visit with them once again. Plus the food was very good. A Meet & Greet was scheduled for the evening meal, which featured pizzas from Big Al s. The Meet & Greet got the rally off to a good start. And, if you like pizza, Big Al s is hard to beat. During the day more folks drove 2
up to the top of Bell Mountain to enjoy the great view. And, this was repeated each day of the rally. Joe and Connie Gallagher Bob-Tailed in, and visited with the Barretts at their coach that afternoon. And, Harry & Linda Sasser Bob-Tailed in for a visit around the campfire that evening. Thursday: The big thing on the agenda today was the fried fish, traditionally provided by Riverbend Campground. It was short side trips in the morning, resting, or visiting with each other in the campground during the morning. Someone wanted a great tasting Rueben real bad, so it was a trip to Café International in Helen for lunch. In the afternoon the ladies prepared a side dish to serve with the fried fish and hushpuppies supplied by the campground owners. There were many very tasty desserts along with the other dishes. It was quite a feast. Afterward most could be found gathered around the 3
campfire at the back of Jack s coach. However, the Barretts returned home so they could get an early start the next day to go to Northside Hospital in Canton for his last Y90 Radiation treatment. Friday: The weather was great and Anna Ruby Falls and Brasstown Bald were the destination for at least one couple. A few more made it to the top of Bell Mountain. For dinner, it was a trip to Daniel s Steakhouse. Bob & Eva Bielemeier Bob-Tailed in for the evening meal. In the meantime, the Barretts were driving back from Canton. After dinner, there was another big campfire gathering behind Jack s coach. Additionally, with the Great Eclipse coming up on Monday, the campground began to fill up completely with campers. This was all part of the mass migration of visitors to the north Georgia area for this event. Saturday: The morning began very foggy, but the sun was soon out in full force. Mike s Seafood Restaurant in Blairsville was the lunch destination for many. Others ventured down to the Unicoi Start Park Lodge near Helen for lunch. Helen is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the campground. Unless you are traveling by auto, then it is a double dozen of 25 MPH S curves and switchbacks a real fun drive. Others spent the afternoon in the campground to avoid the Great Eclipse traffic. Dinner featured various locations; but for the evening, everyone gathering around the campfire. This time it was behind the Zaics coach. Although not on the Rally Agenda, Greg had passed the word they would be cooking apple and cherry pies over the campfire. Well, you know the Mountaineers -- you mention food and they show up. This resulted in the largest campfire gathering we have ever had. Some of the women pitched in to make the pies and some of the men did the open fire cooking. It is very safe to say, a lot of bread, apples, and cherries were consumed. The pies were absolutely delicious! Sunday: The morning was pleasant as we gathered at the picnic shelter for coffee, juice, and sausage biscuits. Wayne Mickey gave the devotional. All too soon it was time to say good bye until the next time. A Great Big THANK YOU goes to our Co-Hosts, the 4
Alexanders and the Zaics. We also thank Riverbend Campground for the fried fish and hushpuppies, they were delicious. Martha Barrett Newsletter Editor Announcements: The following list is the officer candidates presented by the Nominating Committee. Those for the elected positions will be nominated during our election at the October Business Meeting in Crossville, TN. Elected Officers: President Ed Durrence First Vice President Raymond Birt 2 nd Vice President/Wagon Master Jack White Secretary Donna Birt Treasurer Darlene Knowlton Newsletter Editor Patricia Durrence National Director Doug Gibbs Alternate National Director Greg Zaic Appointed Officers: Sheriff Deputy Sheriff Sunshine Reporter Devotional Leader Webmaster & Recruiter Harry Sasser Patricia Durrence Anne Mickey Wayne Mickey Ted Barrett The Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for 7 December, 12:00PM, at the Smith House in Dahlonega. Hosts are the Armstrongs and Birts. Please annotate your calendar. RALLY REMINDERS: September: 13 th thru 16 th Brickyard Plantation Golf Club & RV Park. Americus GA. Reser Req. 229-874-1234. RV park is approx 7.5 miles east of Americus on US-280. See http://www.brickyardgolfclub.com/rvpark.htm Hosts: Gibbs & Newtons October: 25 th thru 28 th Spring Lake RV Resort. Crossville TN. Reser Req. 877-707- 1414. Directions: I-40, Exit-322 onto Peavine Road/TN-101, north 3.7 miles, turn right on Fairview Drive go 1/4 mile. See http://www.springlakervtn.com Hosts: 5
November: 15 th thru 18 th River Country Campground. Gadsden, AL. Reser. Req. 256-543-7111. See http://www.rivercountrycampground.com Hosts: Mathis & Lyles December: 7th 12:00PM Christmas Luncheon at Smith House in Dahlonega, GA. Charity TBD Hosts: Armstrongs & Birts 6